AN ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH A WRITING INSTRUMENT

Abstract: An accessory for use with a writing instrument comprises an integrally moulded plastics clip (1) having a first elongate channel (3) adapted to receive a writing instrument (7) and a pair of limbs (4, 5) defining a second channel (6) by way of which the clip (1) may be mounted upon a credit card or the like (8). In use the clip (1) is mounted upon a credit card (8) and a writing instrument (7) is received within the first channel (3) with the writing instrument (7) being movable relative to the credit card (8) between a retracted position in which it lies adjacent an edge of the credit card and an extended position in which one end of the writing instrument (7) projects beyond an edge of the credit card (8) and in which the writing instrument (7) can be used for writing purposes. In use the writing instrument (7) remains within the channel (3). The arrangement is sufficiently compact that the credit card carrying the clip and the writing instrument can be received in a wallet in a conventional manner.

Description: DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION "AN ACCESSORY FOR USE WITH A WRITING INSTRUMENT" THE PRESENT INVENTION relates to an accessory for use with a writing instrument and more particularly to an accessory for connecting a writing instrument to a substantially planar item such as a credit card or the like. There is an ever increasing number of credit cards, debit cards, charge cards, phone cards, game cards, advertising cards and similar type cards in use nowadays and which are formed of plastic and are of conventional credit-card size. When using certain cards of this type one often needs to provide a signature and it is therefore convenient to have a writing instrument to hand. It is, in any event, often convenient to carry a "standby" pen in case one is needed for any reason. These various types of card are commonly carried in a wallet or card holder where there is no room to carry a conventional pen. Smaller pens are available but can become "lost" in a handbag or pocket containing other items and may therefore not be easily locatable when needed. In addition these smaller pens are sometimes awkward or uncomfortable to use. The present invention seeks to address the problems outlined above. According to the present invention there is provided an accessory in combination with a writing instrument, the accessory comprising a clip adapted to hold the writing instrument, the clip defining a first elongate channel within which the writing instrument is received and a pair of limbs between which a second channel is defined, the second channel being adapted to receive an item to which it is intended to connect the writing instrument held in the first channel of the clip, the arrangement being such that, in use, the writing instrument may be located adjacent an edge of the item by way of the second channel of the clip receiving the edge of the item, with the writing instrument being movable relative to the item between a retracted position in which the writing instrument lies adjacent an edge of the item and an extended position in which at least part of the writing instrument projects beyond an edge of the item and in which the writing instrument may be used for writing, the accessory being such that in use the writing instrument remains mounted upon the accessory. Preferably, in use, the accessory remains mounted upon the edge of the item to which the writing instrument is connected. In a first arrangement the first channel may be designed such that the writing instrument may be moved axially within the first channel between the extended and retracted positions. Alternatively, in a preferred arrangement the first channel is designed such that the writing instrument is held tightly and permanently therein and the second channel is designed such that, in use, the clip remains on, but is movable relative to, the item upon which it is mounted in order to move the writing instrument between the extended and retracted positions. Preferably the clip incorporates means for preventing movement of the writing instrument from the extended position to the retracted position during normal writing use of the instrument. In the first arrangement mentioned above said preventing means may comprise lugs extending into the first channel defined by the clip so as to engage the writing instrument and prevent inadvertent movement of the writing instrument from the extended position to the retracted position. Conveniently the first channel is of generally U- shaped or horseshoe-shaped cross-section. The free edge of each arm of the generally U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped first channel may formed with an inwardly directed lug adapted to retain a writing instrument within the first channel. Preferably the limbs between which the second channel is defined each taper in cross-section in a direction towards their free edges which define the entrance to the second channel. Conveniently the limbs between which the second channel is defined converge towards each other in a direction towards their free edges, the resilience of the material from which the clip is formed enabling the limbs to be prised apart in order for an item to be received within the second channel. Advantageously the limbs between which the second channel is defined extend away from a central part of the base of the generally U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped first channel, the action of inserting a writing instrument into the first channel causing the arms of the first channel to be forced apart which in turn causes the limbs defining the second channel to be forced towards each other. The clip may be integrally formed as a plastics moulding. The invention also provides an accessory as described in combination with a substantially planar item to which the writing instrument is to be connected, such as a credit card, debit card, identification card or the like card. In order that the present invention may be more readily understood and so that further features thereof may be appreciated the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an accessory in accordance with the present invention for use with a writing instrument; FIGURE 2 is a view showing the vertical cross- section of the accessory of Figure 1; FIGURE 3 is a view corresponding to Figure 2 but showing the cross-section of the accessory when a writing instrument is received within a channel defined by the accessory; FIGURE 4 is a side view of the accessory in use showing the position in which the writing instrument is ready to be used; and FIGURE 5 is a view corresponding to Figure 4 but showing the accessory when the writing instrument is not required for use. Figure 1 shows an accessory for use in connecting a writing instrument to a substantially planar item such as a credit or similar type card. The accessory takes the form of an elongate clip 1 having a generally U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped upper region 2 which defines a first elongate channel 3 and a pair of substantially planar parallel limbs 4, 5 which depend from a central area on the underside of the horseshoe-shaped region 2. The limbs 4, 5 are very thin and are spaced apart by a distance approximately equal to the average thickness of a conventional credit card so as to define a second channel 6. The limbs 4, 5 may taper towards their free ends and may, instead of being parallel, converge slightly when in the relaxed condition. The overall length of the elongate clip is typically about 50mm whilst its overall height is about 20mm. The maximum width of the clip is presented by the upper region 2 and is about 3mm. The clip is formed as an injection moulding of polypropylene, although other materials may be used. The first channel 3 defined by the upper region of the clip 1 is designed to receive a writing instrument 7 and is formed so as to be slightly smaller than the writing instrument in order that the instrument forms a tight fit within the channel and is held permanently therein and cannot easily slide along the channel without a significant axial force being applied to the writing instrument. The writing instrument may comprise a ballpoint pen, a pencil, a felt pen or any other writing instrument but in a preferred embodiment comprises a very thin ballpoint pen typically having a diameter of only about 2mm or less. The second channel 6 is designed to be located upon one edge of a plastics card such as a credit card 8. In use the writing instrument may be inserted into the channel 3 when the clip is slightly warm and the plastics material from which it is formed is relatively soft and pliable. This may be done shortly after moulding of the clip. Alternatively the writing instrument may be located in the clip when the clip is cold, although this may require the use of a slightly greater force. If necessary a small amount of lubricant may be used to assist in locating the writing instrument in the channel 3. As the writing instrument is forced into the channel 3 the arms defining the sides of the horseshoe-shaped channel 3 are forced apart. This "stretching out" of the horseshoe- shaped channel causes the free end of the limbs 4, 5 to move together. Thus, upon insertion of the writing instrument into the clip, the clip moves from the relaxed condition shown in Figure 2 to a "tensioned condition" as shown in Figure 3 in which the free ends of the limbs 4, 5 are urged together. The fact that the channel 3 is slightly too small for the writing instrument means that the clip remains in the tensioned condition shown in Figure 3 once the writing instrument is in place, with the free ends of the limbs 4, 5 remaining urged together. The writing instrument is positioned in the clip such that at least the end which is used for writing projects beyond the end of the channel 3. The clip is mounted upon a credit card 8 by positioning one corner of the card in the opening between the limbs 4, 5 adjacent the underside of the channel 3 and sliding the card between the limbs 4, 5 until the clip is fully located upon one edge of the card. The lower ends of the limbs 4, 5 act to grip the card and retain the clip and the associated writing instrument 7 upon the card. The clip may, however, be slid along the edge of the card 8 without undue difficulty. When it is necessary to use the writing instrument 7, the clip 1, carrying the writing instrument 7, is slid to the end of the card 8, as shown in Figure 4, so that the writing instrument projects beyond the edge of the card. The clip 1 and the card 8 can be held in a natural and comfortable manner in the hand so that the writing instrument can be used conventionally. With the clip 1 and card 8 held together in this way the writing instrument will not move with respect to the card when it is being used. It is to be noted that there is no need to remove the writing instrument 7 from the clip 1 in order to use it, the only action which is necessary being to slide the clip along to the edge of the card 8. The clip and writing instrument could, however, if desired, be removed from the card for use by themselves with the clip being subsequently relocated in the card. When the writing instrument is no longer required for use the clip may be slid back along the card so that the writing instrument is in a "retracted position", as shown in Figure 5, in which the entire length of the writing instrument 7 is located adjacent the edge of the card and does not project beyond either end thereof. It will be appreciated that this arrangement ensures that a writing instrument is always to hand when required for use in association with the card 8. The arrangement is particularly compact, being of a thickness which is little more than the thickness of a conventional credit card. The pen may therefore conveniently be stored in a wallet or card holder with the card 8. The combination of the writing instrument and clip do not have any sharp projections or edges and is therefore comfortable to carry in a close fitting item of clothing. The arrangement ensures that the writing instrument 7 does not become "lost" and is always available for use when required. In a modified arrangement it would of course be possible to design the clip so that it fits very tightly onto the card 8 and is not intended to move relative to the card but where the writing instrument is not such a tight fit within the channel 3 and can be moved axially relative thereto in order to move the writing instrument between a retracted and an extended or "in-use" position. With this arrangement it may well be convenient to provide lugs extending inwardly within the channel 3 and which serve to prevent inadvertent movement of the writing instrument from the extended or "in-use" position to the retracted position. Thus, when the writing instrument is in the extended position the tail end of the instrument may be located in front of lugs of this nature so that when the writing instrument is used for normal writing purposes the instrument will not slide back to the retracted position. The writing instrument may, however, be moved to the retracted position by inserting an additional axial force thereon in order to slide it back along the channel 3.

Claims: CLAIMS: 1. An accessory in combination with a writing instrument, the accessory comprising a clip adapted to hold the writing instrument, the clip defining a first elongate channel within which the writing instrument is received and a pair of limbs between which a second channel is defined, the second channel being adapted to receive an item to which it is intended to connect the writing instrument held in the first channel of the clip, the arrangement being such that, in use, the writing instrument may be located adjacent an edge of the item by way of the second channel of the clip receiving the edge of the item, with the writing instrument being movable relative to the item between a retracted position in which the writing instrument lies adjacent an edge of the item and an extended position in which at least part of the writing instrument projects beyond an edge of the item and in which the writing instrument may be used for writing, the accessory being such that in use the writing instrument remains mounted upon the accessory. 2. An accessory according to Claim 1 wherein, in use, the accessory remains mounted upon the edge of the item to which the writing instrument is connected. 3. An accessory according to Claim 1 of Claim 2 wherein the first channel is designed such that the writing instrument may be moved axially within the first channel between the extended and retracted positions. 4. An accessory according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the first channel is designed such that the writing instrument is held tightly and permanently therein and the second channel is designed such that, in use, the clip remains on, but is movable relative to, the item upon which it is mounted in order to move the writing instrument between the extended and retracted positions. 5. An accessory according to Claim 1 wherein the clip incorporates means for preventing movement of the writing instrument from the extended position to the retracted position during normal writing use of the instrument. 6. An accessory according to Claim 5 wherein said preventing means comprise lugs extending into the first channel defined by the clip so as to engage the writing instrument and prevent inadvertent movement of the writing instrument from the extended position to the retracted position. 7. An accessory according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the first channel is of generally U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped cross-section. 8. An accessory according to Claim 7 wherein the free edge of each arm of the generally U-shaped or horseshoe- shaped first channel is formed with an inwardly directed lug adapted to retain a writing instrument within the first channel. 9. An accessory according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the limbs between which the second channel is defined each taper in cross-section in a direction towards their free edges which define the entrance to the second channel. 10. An accessory according to Claim 9 wherein the limbs between which the second channel is defined converge towards each other in a direction towards their free edges, the resilience of the material from which the clip is formed enabling the limbs to be prised apart in order for an item to be received within the second channel. 11. An accessory according to Claim 7 or any claim dependent thereon wherein the limbs between which the second channel is defined extend away from a central part of the base of the generally U-shaped or horseshoe-shaped first channel, the action of inserting a writing instrument into the first channel causing the arms of the first channel to be forced apart which in turn causes the limbs defining the second channel to be forced towards each other. 12. An accessory according to any one of the preceding Claims wherein the clip is integrally formed as a plastics moulding. 13. An accessory according to any one of Claims 1 to 12 in combination with a substantially planar item to which the writing instrument is to be connected. 14. An accessory according to Claim 13 wherein the substantially planar item comprises a credit card, debit card, identification card or the like card.

Inventors: SHAH NEILL VASUDEO, SHAH, NEILL, VASUDEO
Applicants: SHAH NEILL VASUDEO, SHAH, NEILL, VASUDEO
Application year: 1994
Main classification: B43K23
IPC codes: B43K23, B43K29